This is a blog about my life and my experiences. Mostly, it will be about farm stuff, with things like quilting thrown in from time to time. The description may seem innocuous enough that if you've found this page, you may be wondering, "Why does this fruitcake think she needs a comments policy? What could possibly be controversial about chickens, llamas, cats, cows, and quilts?"
Well, dear readers, although this blog may be new, I am a battle-scarred veteran of Internet Bloodbaths Past, and experience has taught me that ANYTHING can be made controversial. I could post pictures of sleeping newborn puppies, and I guarantee you that one day, someone would drop in to scold me for promoting irresponsible breeding, and admonish me for not promoting the adoption of older pets. If I then started posting soulful pictures of senior pets in need of homes, someone else would inform me that they bought a purebred puppy from a responsible breeder, and that it wasn't a crime to want a puppy of a certain breed, and that I was tarring all purebred puppy owners with the same brush. Then the Hurt Responsible Puppy Owner and the Outraged Dedicated Senior Pet Advocate would attack each other like baby Tasmanian Devils fighting for mama's milk. And then, they would both turn on me.
Don't believe me? I've seen it happen.
So, with that in mind, here are the Rules around Sin City Farm Girl:
1. This is a working family farm, not a petting zoo or an exhibit. That means that some animals are bought, bred, and raised solely to be food, while others are pets or breeding stock. Other than our own animals, our family has NO say in the fates of any creature here. I can personally vouch for the fact that they are all well cared for and have ample shelter, food, water, space, sunlight, and fresh air. We do eat meat and eggs from our landlord's animals. If you are Vegan or Vegetarian for health and/or emotional/moral/personal reasons, I respect your choices and I ask that you do the same for me and others.
2. Trolls will be chased with pitchforks and torches and run out of town. Don't get me wrong. I love people with passion. Feel free to disagree with me or other commenters, but keep it civil. Also: No racism, sexism, or any other isms that will hurt people. No bigotry. No stereotypes. No personal attacks or name-calling. And for the love of cheese and toast, no politics and no religious debate. Constructive criticism, thoughtful debate, and different opinions are all welcome. Calling me or anyone else a Butt Monkey because we don't like your cobbler recipe tips is not.
3. I don't care who started it. Similar to #2, please don't bring your drama from other blogs, forums, Facebook, etc. here. I'm sorry if so-and-so is so totally mean to you or said bad stuff about your mother. However, I am not going to get in the middle of your conflict. You need to hash it out together on your own time and bandwidth. Please, please don't comment or send me e-mails or messages telling me all about why the other party is not to be trusted, what s/he said about me on DonkeyTalk.com, or anything else. I don't care. Seriously. I didn't much like the 8th grade the first time around, and I have no interest in reliving it now.
4. This is a PG-Rated space. I'm not a prude, nor does any kind of language easily offend me, but I know kids love animals, and I will be posting animal pictures a lot, so please keep the discussion reasonably sanitized. On the other hand, I will, on occasion, be discussing things like animal deaths, matings, births, and other graphic things which may be frightening or upsetting for some kids, so I wouldn't just let your 7-12 year olds loose here.
5. If you steal from me, I swear to God I will hunt you down and ram llama poop up your nostrils. I've fought hard for my writing voice, and every word is precious to me. Everything I post is my own writing, ideas, experiences and photography, except where noted.
6. Nothing posted here should be construed as a substitute for the aid of qualified professionals. What works for me, in any given situation, may not work for you. I am not a veterinarian, third generation farmer, animal trainer, or anything else but an enthusiastic novice. Readers attempting to duplicate procedures described herein should always consult with their own Vet, trainer, etc. BEFORE attempting to do anything on their own. Readers assume all liability for their own actions, whether or not they solicited advice from me.
7. I reserve the right to edit or delete any comment, at any time, for any reason, with no advance notice to the commenter. This is not a democracy, and I don't care about anyone's right to free speech as it relates to my blog. My peace of mind is far more important to me.
Don't agree with these rules? Can't follow them? Think I'm a tyrant who's oppressing you? I understand, and my feelings will not be hurt at all if you choose other blogs to visit. No need to notify me.
Thanks for visiting, and thanks for your cooperation!
